The Way of Repentance

Ashley Thomson is a full librarian at Laurentian University and co-editor or co-author of nine books, most recently Margaret Atwood: A Reference Guide, 1988-2005.

At Pentecost, the Apostle Peter told the crowd, “Repent and be
baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit” (Acts 2: 38). Since repentance is the precondition of
salvation in the Christian faith, a book that attempts to explain this
concept is very welcome indeed and the author, who has worked as a
translator, university lecturer, and writer, is well qualified to
explain it.

Repentance, Zaleski suggests, is often mistaken for regret over
specific sins that an individual may have committed. In her view, this
notion is simplistic and even dangerous because, at its worst, it may
engender “neurotic self-hate.” Repentance as she understands it
means being ready to admit responsibility for our actions and our need
for forgiveness. It also means being willing to open ourselves to the
work of the Spirit in us and to fully embrace the gift of salvation.
From this perspective, repentance becomes a constant change of heart and
a way of life that moves from regret to healing and from guilt to
liberation. Written from a Roman Catholic perspective, this little book
should still be of interest to anyone who wants a better understanding
of the Christian faith.